Rental price set for worker townhome in Basalt

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ASPEN - The first residence Pitkin County purchased with the goal of providing housing to the general work force is nearly ready for occupants.

The three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home in the Columbines at Elk Run neighborhood of Basalt could be turned over to the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority next week, according to County Manager Jon Peacock. It was purchased for about $330,000.

County commissioners decided Tuesday that the unit should be rented for $1,400 per month - a Category 2 price under the Housing Authority's guidelines. The Category 2 income range for qualified local worker with two dependents is about $49,000 to $68,000 annually, Peacock said.

Under the housing guidelines, the maximum rent for the unit would be $1,292, but commissioners agreed that the renter should pay some of the $275 in monthly homeowners' association fees, as well.

The county is in the process of buying individual properties with the goal of renting half of the units to its own employees and making half of them available to the general work force.